WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. companies boosted their orders in November for long-lasting manufactured goods that reflect investment plans. It was the second straight such increase, an encouraging sign for the economy.

The Commerce Department said Friday that overall orders for durable goods rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7 percent in November over October.

But a more closely watched category of orders that tracks business investment surged 2.7 percent. That followed an upwardly revised 3.2 percent jump in October, the biggest in 10 months.

Those back-to-back increases followed a period of weakness in so-called core capital goods that had raised concerns about business investment, a driving force in the economic rebound.

The overall increases in orders for durable goods were widespread in November. Only demand for commercial aircraft showed a big decline.

The surge in orders in the business investment category defied concerns that businesses might be reducing investment because of uncertainty about how the debate over the "fiscal cliff" will be resolved. The fiscal cliff refers to the set of automatic tax increases and spending cuts that will take effect in January if Congress and the Obama administration don't reach a budget deal first.

In addition, Europe's debt crisis and slower growth overseas have cut into U.S. exports and corporate profits and raised further concern.

Total orders for transportation equipment dropped 1.1 percent. The decline reflected a 13.9 percent fall in commercial aircraft orders, which offset a 3.5 percent gain in orders for motor vehicles and parts.

Excluding transportation, orders for nondurable goods, items expected to last at least three years, rose to $220.9 billion. For the year, they're up 7.3 percent. Continued...